The Panel - October 2025 by Belmont Hill School

Volume 74, Issue 3

Eric Kapitulik Delivers a Rousing Speech on Leadership

By Jaiden Lee ’26 Panel Staff

“But only when I started to swim, did I feel true fear”: these words, repeated several times, formed a key part of Chapel speaker Eric Kapitulik’s impactful story about the harrowing experience of being trapped in a sinking helicopter during a training mission gone wrong at sea. With this story as his opening, Kapitulik took the stage on Friday, September 26th, to provide key advice on leadership and teamwork.

In 1995, Mr. Kapitulik, having graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy as a student-athlete on the lacrosse team, went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Special Operations Officer with the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Marine Division. After several of his colleagues tragically passed away in the helicopter accident, Mr. Kapitulik began competing in triathlons, notably completing eight Ironman competitions, the Canadian Death Race Ultra Marathon, and the American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon, among others. Through competing in these endurance events, Mr. Kapitulik aimed to raise enough money to provide college scholarships for the children of all of his deceased friends. After eight years, Mr. Kapitulik left the service

and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2005. He then founded an organization called The Program, which seeks to help young men build character and grit. According to Mr. Kapitulik, “leadership is a contact sport.” He demonstrated this by instructing the boys to stand up and hug the people immediately adjacent to them. Using Tyler

’26 and Thomas

’26 as onstage models,

emphasized that “ if you want energy, you have to be the kind of person who gives it. And if someone does give you energy, you better make sure you give it right back to them.”

Next, Mr. Kapitulik emphasized the importance of leading by example, declaring, “As a leader, don’t ever ask your teammates to do something

you’re not willing to do yourself. The best teammates set the example, and then we hold our teammates accountable to it.” Mr. Kapitulik went on to warn against the danger of simply being “nice friends,” describing how only resorting to kindness could morph into laziness. As great teammates, we should tell each other the things we do not want to hear, in order to improve each other.

Finally, Mr. Kapitulik proved how uncomfortable changing a habit could be through a simple arm-crossing activity. Talking about the three main areas of courage that he found most important, physical, mental, and emotional courage, Mr. Kapitulik presented a photo of him and his wife standing at the base of Mt. Everest on a beautiful day. He asserted that feats like completing triathlons, climbing towering mountains, and being a good leader ultimately required all three types of courage (physical, mental, and emotional), and that each are essential tools needed for success. Mr. Kapitulik emphasized how significant making good habits was both as an athlete on a sports team and beyond in the outside world.“All it has to do with is a choice—we must make every morning that we wake up, a morning where we decide to be the best leader that we can be. I hope you make the right choice.” ☐

BH Hosts International Boys School Conference

By Adrian Chen ’28 Panel Staff

Last June, Belmont Hill became a bustling hub of global education, uniting over 650 educators from across the world under one theme: “Better Together.” Over four days, the school hosted the 2025 International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC) Conference, welcoming attendees from as far as England, South Africa, Thailand, and New Zealand. Belmont Hill held hundreds of workshops led by educators and administrators from member schools, featuring key principles such as Belonging and Collaboration, Character and Masculinity, Innovation and Learning, and Leadership and Strategy. These sessions provided a platform for diverse educators to share ideas and promote boys’ education. In addition to workshops, Belmont Hill hosted a myriad of distinguished speakers in the Jordan tennis facility, which was beautifully transformed into an auditorium. Speakers included Shabana Basij-Rasikh, founder of a school for Afghan girls now relocated to Rwanda, who spoke about the human right to education; Noubar Afeyan, local entrepreneur, biochemical engineer, and Belmont Hill parent, who discussed leading a good, successful life; and Alan Garber, current presi -

Letter from the Editor

Welcome to Issue 3 of Volume 74!

This Issue marks our first as we kick off the new school year. With this new edition, we would like to once again encourage boys of all forms who have an interest in writing articles to thepanel@ belmonthill.org. All writers are welcome, and we are constantly recruiting new students to join and contribute to our subsequent issues. In this issue, our news section features four spotlight articles on incoming faculty additions

dent of Harvard University, who joined the presidents of MIT and Williams College for the Higher Education Panel. Beyond speakers and workshops, Belmont Hill immersed guests in school traditions. Educators and administrators participated in walks through the Habitat, visits to the woodworking

studio and Robsham Art Center, a reception at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and early morning rowing on the Charles River. Director of Culinary Excellence Chef Tony Maws ’88 crafted a gourmet menu for attendees across the four-day event. Highlights also included a skydiving exhibition featuring Mr. Liston and former faculty member Mr. Feldman, who jumped from a plane and landed on the field beside the music building as spectators gasped in awe. The success of the 2025 IBSC Conference was the result of years of preparation by faculty, most notably Head of School Mr. Schneider and Ms. Larocque, Senior Associate Director of Admission and Financial Aid. Without Ms. Larocque’s organization and the help of hundreds of volunteers, many of them Belmont Hill students, the event would not have been possible. Mr. Schneider capped off the confrence by stating that he hopes the conference “offers us a chance to learn and grow with boys educators around the world.”

this year, including returning alums Mr. Murphy ’98 and Mr. Palandjian ’13. Additional articles cover new school policy updates and recent developments from the senate. Our sports section features Nick “Moose” Fiumara ’26 as our Athlete of the Issue and also features articles focusing on sports updates from our Fall teams as well as alum Jack Winnay ’22’s drafting to the Red Sox. In this issue’s center-spread, we have created a collage of all the Form trips this Fall with photographs taken by students and faculty from various locations.

Next, our Arts section places a spotlight on the Landau Gallery’s recent featuring of Ms. Bradley’s paintings, recent theater developments with the new play All Quiet on the Western Front , and October’s Playlist of the Issue (Dad Rock). Our Ops writers focus on domestic politics with Trump’s policing actions and international politics with the exit of three prime ministers. The Debate of the Issue, spearheaded by Bradford Adams ’26 and Justin Li ’26, centers around the best method for students to take notes—by hand, or on a device.

We’d like to thank all of the new writers, editors, faculty, and staff who helped make this first issue of the year possible. Again, anyone who is still interested in joining the newspaper but hasn’t reached out is strongly encouraged to reach out to thepanel@belmonthill.org or to any of the Executives---Eli Norden, Jaiden Lee, TZ Snail, or Nathan Zhang. The Panel is excited with a great start to the year and looks forward to covering school/world events in the months to come! We hope you enjoy the issue!

Smith

Danahy

Mr. Kapitulik

Eric Kapitulik Sharing The Program’s Mission in Chapel BH Communications

Mr. Schenider Introducing IBSC Members to Campus BH Communications

Mr. Kendall Joins BH Math Dept

By Jack Ramanathan ’26

Panel Staff

Whether in the math classroom or on the ski trails, Mr. Kendall brings energy, endurance, and enthusiasm to Belmont Hill. Coming from the Dublin School in New Hampshire, he has joined the math department and is teaching Algebra and Calculus. In addition, he coaches both the middle school cross country team and the varsity nordic skiing team. As a Form VI advisor, he is committed to supporting his students and fostering their academic and personal growth.

Mr. Kendall grew up in Anchorage, Maine, where he competed in “every endurance sport” available across the seasons: Cross Country, Nordic Skiing, and Track. He went on to attend St. Olaf College, a small liberal arts school in Minnesota, where he continued racing for all three sports at the collegiate level. After graduating, he pursued further education at Boston University and later at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a master’s degree in teaching and education.

Additionally, Mr. Kendall served as a coach for the U16 and U18 boys New England Junior National Team for five years. As part of an eight-person staff team, his role consisted of race strategizing and waxing over 1000 pairs of skis throughout the course of a week.

Mr. Kendall briefly taught at Berwick Academy before switching to teaching at the Dublin School in 2019 where Mr. Schneider hired him in his final year there. There, he served as Associate Dean of Studies and delivered the school’s 2022 convocation speech,

in which he emphasized the importance of “engaging with adversity.”

Outside the classroom, Mr. Kendall describes himself as an “outdoors-y person” who enjoys running, reading, a good bowl of ice cream, and sometimes even a bit of arugula. He developed an interest in economics and politics after college and now frequently engages students in thoughtful discussions on these topics. “Economics can challenge ideology,” he notes, calling it “a fun way to bridge conversations with values.” Mr. Kendall has also expressed interest in teaching a course on financial literacy and economics.

In his short time at Belmont Hill, Mr. Kendall has already been struck by our “close-knit community”. We are thrilled to welcome such a dedicated educator to campus—one who brings not only a passion for math, but also a genuine commitment to instilling care, curiosity, and community. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our students and school. ☐

Mr. Palandjian ’13 Rejoins Campus

By Jackson Hurd ’26 and Nicky Jones ’26 Panel Staff

One of the newest members of Belmont Hill’s Science Department is alumnus Mr. Petros Palandjian ’13, who joins the faculty to teach Computer Science, replacing Mr. Ryan ’17, who departed to pursue a doctoral degree and higher education. A Belmont native, Mr. Palandjian spent his student years playing nearly every sport available, including tennis, squash, and hockey, and even helped introduce the blue recycling bins that are still used on campus today. As a student, he also helped organize fundraisers for cancer research, inspiring others to shave their heads to raise money and awareness.

After Belmont Hill, Mr. Palandjian attended Duke University, where he double-majored in Computer Science and Economics. At Duke, he continued his athletic pursuits by playing club tennis and volleyball and furthered his passion for philanthropy

by founding Buzz for Bobby, a charity program supporting cancer research.

Following college, Mr. Palandjian built an impressive and varied career. In 2020, he founded an environmentally focused business that created zero-waste vending machines, which eventually expanded to over fifty locations across the United States. The company was a finalist for the Reusies Prize for Most Innovative Consumer Packaged Goods Company and won the 2024 U.S. Plastics Pact Award for sustainable packaging before closing in 2025 due to supplier bankruptcies.

Now returning to Belmont Hill, Mr. Palandjian teaches multiple computer science classes, advises the AI Club as well as taking part in the Sustainability Club, and coaches both the Varsity Tennis and First Form Hockey teams.

According to one of his AP Comp-Sci students, John Pena ’26, “Mr. Palandjian is a great teacher who understands what it’s like to be a student and encourages us to look at problems in unique ways.”

Outside the classroom, Mr. Palandjian remains as active and curious as ever. He has lived in seven cities, including Boston, New York, and London, and has traveled to 39 countries, with plans to visit more. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, reading, gaming, and playing weekly sports such as volleyball and pickleball. He also loves spending time with his dog, Otis, and his cat, Milo, whom he hopes to bring to campus this year.

A dedicated teacher, coach, and innovator, Mr. Palandjian embodies the Belmont Hill spirit of curiosity, hard work, and service. We look forward to Mr. Palandjian’s contributions in the coming years. ☐

Pitcher Enters History Dept

Update on Belmont Hill New Phone Policy

By Sam Norden ’28 Panel Staff

As Belmont Hill begins a new year, so does a significantly altered phone policy compared to the previous one. Just like last spring, students must leave their phones in their bags from the time they sign in in the mornings until the end of the academic day at 1:35. Any student who is seen using their phone during the school day will receive a Saturday hour. Clearly, the school liked what they

saw and the effects that the phone policy had on the students last spring, so this policy is likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future. Tyler Grossman ’27 said, “It’s annoying, I think it’s much easier to have my phone with me during the school day. However, I understand where the school is coming from and it makes sense that they don’t want us to have our phones during the day.”

Many students share this view, as they would like to have their phones available to them during the day or between

classes, but they also acknowledge that putting it away is the right thing to do. Belmont Hill realizes that technology can play a significant role in the classroom positively and negatively, as it says on the website: “As part of our curriculum, students grow to understand their responsibilities as digital citizens, gain confidence in using technology, and learn how both in-person and electronic communication are essential to being part of our community and the larger world.” The use of tech -

nology is important for the future, and can benefit students academically. Still, the use of cell phones in the classrooms results in a lack of focus and can result in negative impacts on mental health. The policy is one that is intended to last for a while without much change, and it is similar to the policy used by many other schools across the country, as 34 states have banned the use of phones in school, in hopes of maintaining a stronger academic environment. ☐

A Look Inside the Senate: All-School September Meeting

By Ryan Li ’28 Panel Staff

Mr. Murphy ’98 returns to Belmont Hill for the third time, teaching math and coaching soccer. He first joined the Belmont Hill community as a Form III student, graduating in the Class of 1998. During his time at Belmont Hill, he was a peer leader, a member of SADD, an organizer of the flower drive, and played soccer, basketball, and track. He then went on to Boston College, where he acquired a degree in Economics, before becoming a retail buyer for the next five years. In 2006, Mr. Murphy ’98 began his teaching career, joining Belmont Hill as a math teacher. Over the next fifteen years, he taught various levels of mathematics, served as Assistant Athletic Director, and headed the Middle School while Mrs. Hamilton was on sabbatical. When the current seniors were rising eighth graders (in 2021), Mr. Murphy ’98 departed for Catholic Memorial, serving in the Admissions office as the director of Financial Aid. After four years there, we welcome him back to the Hill. Mr. Murphy ’98 firmly believes in the adage: “If you find a job that you love, you never work a day in your life.” In his experiences as a student and a faculty member, this proverb has led him to enjoy his work daily. Another core element of his deep connection to the school is the community, specifically the people: “It’s…the kids. That’s what makes this job fun.” Mr. Murphy ’98 also mentioned his deep connection with beloved Belmont Hill teacher and administrator Mr. Cliff Goodband, who was his youth soccer and baseball

coach and introduced him to Belmont Hill. When deciding to go into education, Mr. Goodband suggested teaching at Belmont Hill, and they served for several years together in the athletics department. When remarking about Mr. Goodband, Mr. Murphy ’98 described him as “tough and caring, which is what makes Belmont Hill special.”

Mr. Murphy ’98 also exhibits a passion for the long-standing traditions of Belmont Hill, expressing his wish to follow in the footsteps of the great teachers and mentors before him. He recounts, “That’s why I became a teacher, when I think of some of those men and women who have been here before.”

With his deep love of teaching and dedication to the community, Mr. Murphy ’98 is sure to have a significant impact on the students and teachers at Belmont Hill. The Panel welcomes Mr. Murphy ’98, looking forward to his presence in the community. The Belmont Hill community as a whole welcomes Mr. Murphy ’98 as well! ☐

By Connor Lynch ’27

This year, Mr. Bennett Pitcher joins the Belmont Hill community as a one-year Teaching Fellow, bringing with him a rich background of both education and athletics. He will be teaching History 1 and 2, coaching varsity football and basketball, serving as a Form VI co-advisor alongside Mr. Schneider, and contributing to the Residential Life team while living on campus. Through these many responsibilities, Mr. Pitcher looks forward to engaging with students in a variety of settings and becoming an active presence in school life.

Mr. Pitcher is a recent graduate of Harvard University, where he earned a B.A. in History with a secondary in Folklore and Mythology. During his time at Harvard, he was a dedicated and well-known member of the basketball team and developed a deep interest in both athletics and education. His experiences there helped

him develop a deep appreciation for the ways in which sports and scholarship intersect, as well as how teamwork, discipline, and mentorship contribute to learning both on and off the field.

Before coming to Belmont Hill, Mr. Pitcher gained valuable teaching and coaching experience as a dorm counselor, teaching assistant, and coach at the Phillips Andover summer program, as well as a varsity football assistant coach at BB&N. Additionally, Mr. Pitcher served, throughout the summer, as a flag football coach as part of the Belmont Hill sports camp, during the months of June and July. There, he continued refining his coaching skills as he helped hundreds of young student athletes ranging in ages from 8-12. As a whole, These roles strengthened his passion for education and his desire to support young people in achieving their goals, a mindset which he’ll bring to our BH campus.

A graduate of Deerfield Academy, where both of his parents taught, Mr. Pitcher grew up surrounded by a strong sense of community and education. At Deerfield, he played both football and basketball, experiences that helped spark his lifelong passion for sports, teamwork, and mentorship. Through his time coaching, advising, and teaching, Mr. Pitcher discovered how much he enjoys supporting students’ growth both inside and outside the classroom, and he looks forward to bringing that same enthusiasm to Belmont Hill this year. This coming year, the Belmont Hill community looks forward to see what Mr. Pitcher has to offer, both on the sports field and also in the academic realm, in the history department. ☐

Form IV:

•

Form V:

•

• Changing back to tennis court for location rather than

Form VI:

•

• Veterans

•

• Named Lawn Striper

Mr. Murphy ’98 BH Communications

Panel Staff

Mr. Pitcher BH Communications

Mr. Kendall BH Communications

Mr. Murphy ’98 Returns to BH

Mr. Palandjian ’13 BH Communications

Mr.

AOTI: Nick “Moose” Fiumara ’26

By Charlie Maws ’26

Nicholas Fiumara ’26 is his full name, but most people know him simply as Moose. He says that even his parents only call him by his real name when he’s in trouble. His impressive 6’5” frame is a staple on the football, wrestling, and track teams here at Belmont Hill, but his main sport is very clearly football. Recruited to play under legendary coach Bill Belichick at the University of North Carolina as a 3-star offensive tackle, Moose has been an anchor of the BH football team for the last four years. Moose has played football since he was in first grade, although at first he didn’t enjoy it, unsurprisingly because he was too heavy. “They had weight limits back then — now they don’t,” he said. “Around seventh grade is when I started to find my love for it, hit the gym, and do field work whenever I could.” Coming to Belmont Hill in seventh grade, in large part due to his family connection to the school (his grandfather was legendary Belmont Hill teacher Cliff Goodband), Moose had always had to play with the older age groups, and he was grateful to finally be able to play with kids closer to his own age.

Moose has had an impressive athletic career here at Belmont Hill, including being a key member of ISL and New England Championships in 2023 and 2024, respectively. He has also earned All-ISL honors and All-New England Honorable Mentions, as well as being a two-time All-ISL wrestler in the 285-pound weight class. Moose has started for the varsity football team since he was a freshman, something he considers one of his proudest football moments, alongside winning the ISL in 2023. This was followed by a crushing bowl loss to Deerfield, one of Moose’s most painful football memories.

Although he received many other Division I offers, UNC was a special one. “It was definitely really cool,” Moose said. He added that he had spoken to the old staff during his junior season, but when those coaches left UNC, he didn’t have much contact with them until the spring football showcase at Belmont Hill. That was when he met the new staff for the first time and scheduled his first official visit to the school. “I didn’t ever think I would be able to be recruited by Bill Belichick, and I still don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet.” Although he is still not entirely sure what a Tar Heel is — “there’s a historical background, I’m pretty sure” — he is deeply honored and excited at the chance to play for Coach Belichick and UNC.

Going forward, Moose’s main football goal is to make sure that everyone on the team has a good experience this fall, adding that, after all, it is just a game. “Football has given me so much, and I wouldn’t be going to UNC without it,” he says, and he wants to give back to the game as much as he can and help other kids achieve their goals. Moose’s impressive athletic career is far from over, and with his skill and size and the coaching he will receive going forward, he is sure to have future success. ☐

Football, Soccer and Cross Country Update

By William Hennigar ’26

2025 Belmont Hill Homecoming Games

With The Loop rocking and the teams leaving it all on the field, the 2025 homecoming was a resounding success. The day kicked off at the Rock Meadow course where JV and varsity cross country took on BB&N. Both teams brought home the victory, with Will Trautz ’27 taking first place and the teams winning by scores of 15 to 48 and 15 to 50, respectively. Following the dominant cross-country victories, it was the varsity and JV soccer teams’ opportunity to take on the Knights. Having not defeated BB&N since before COVID, the varsity team entered the game seeking long-overdue revenge. With both teams entering the game undefeated, the game was likely to have profound playoff implications later in the season. Belmont Hill started the game on

the front foot, as Captain Jack Bartlett ’26 scored twice to give the boys an early 2-0 lead. However, BB&N responded, scoring twice to tie the game up early in the second half. The game appeared to be slipping out of Belmont Hill’s grasp as the Knights won a penalty shortly after drawing level; however, goalie Harry Lavoie ’27 made an incredible save that kept the game all square. This save proved to be a huge momentum boost for Belmont Hill as they scored three unanswered goals to win the match 5-2. Mr. Bracken said the game was “an emotional rollercoaster but a really great win that showed some tremendous character after giving up the early lead.”

While this happened, the JV soccer team also put on a masterclass on the turf field. Early goals from Brandon Li ’26, Bradford Adams ’26, and James Chaytors ’28 put the game out of reach in the first half. The team

kept up this momentum into the second half, winning the game 5-0.

To conclude the athletics day, the football team took on St. Paul’s School. After jumping out to an early 6-0 lead, St Paul’s responded with a touchdown of their own to take a 7-6 lead. Although the Belmont Hill offense would threaten a few more times before halftime, they could not cash

Jack Winnay ’22 Drafted by Hometown Team

By Sam Norden ’28 Panel Staff

“By his senior year, he was probably the most feared hitter in the league; while he was a great fielder, hitting was always his thing. We would say that he was a ‘professional’ hitter, even when he was in high school,” said varsity baseball head coach Mr. Cunningham ’12. This summer, former Belmont Hill star Jack Winnay ’22 was drafted by the Boston Red Sox with the 388th pick in the 13th round of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Throughout his time at Belmont Hill, Jack earned four varsity letters, won the ISL championship, and received numerous other accolades, including First Team All-ISL, First Team All-NEPSAC, and the 2022 ISL Hitter of the Year award. Additionaly he was ranked the 19th best third baseman in the class of 2022 by Perfect Game, a prominent baseball scouting and ranking company. However, this isn’t what set him apart from the rest. Mr. Cunningham continued, “He relentlessly honed his craft. He was always in the cage working on the lit -

tle details about his swing. He knew his swing, and he would spend hours upon hours working on that, but as a person, he had this quiet kind of leadership that I think is hard to obtain. People just wanted to be like him and follow the way that he did things.” Jack’s leadership skills earned him the role of captain in his senior year, and he truly represented what it means to be a Belmont Hill athlete.

After Belmont Hill, Jack went on to play Division 1 Baseball at Wake Forest in the ACC, where he batted .293 across his 3 years playing there. During his freshman season at Wake Winnay played a perfect third base recording a 1.000 fielding percentage. Winnay had a break out year his senior season with a batting average of .296 his final year in addition to batting in 58 runs and launching 20 home runs while being a catalyst for a firey Wake Forest offense. In his two years as a starter, he launched 35 home runs with 124 runs batted in, leading his team in doubles, and ranking second in home runs his sophomore year. During his time at Wake Forest the team also achieved great success such as making it to the College World Series in 2023 where he recorded a hit in game 3 against LSU. Now Winnay plays for the Salem Red Sox, the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. So far he has an impressive .321 batting average and 11 RBI’s through his first 15 games while playing third base. Jack will continue to bring the same dedication and focus that defined his time at Belmont Hill and Wake Forest. His journey is just getting started. The Panel would like to wish Jack the best of luck next season and in the rest of his baseball endevors. ☐

A Time of Questions for Boston Sports Teams

By Jack O’Brien ’26 Panel Staff

in, leaving them down by one with 24 minutes to go. Although Belmont Hill received a few more chances, the defense held strong, but they could not rally and ultimately lost 21-6. The Panel would like to wish all the fall teams best of luck for the remainder of their seasons and thank those who helped make Homecoming such a spectacular success. ☐

The Boston Red Sox’s 2025 season came to a crushing end last week when they lost game three of the American League Wild Card Series to the New York Yankees. After a rollercoaster of a season the team clinched their first playoff series since the 2021 season. This season was highlighted by a 10 game win streak back in July before the All-Star break and a 32-17 record after rising star Roman Anthony was called up on June 9, before his untimely oblique strain on September 3. After his injury the team went through a minor slump but was still able to lock up the 5th seed in the American League.

The New England Patriots have started he season off 2-2 after cruising to an easy win against the Carolina Panthers by a score of 42-13. Fans have high hopes for this season as new head coach and former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel looks to have a bounce-back year. Second-year QB Drake Maye is expected to progress even further, with an updated offensive line after the Patriots drafted left tackle Will Campbell 4th overall, and more weapons after they signed veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson. The Patriots look to continue their strong start and make a run for the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

The Boston Celtics find themselves in a new spot compared to the last few seasons. After winning the 2024 NBA Finals, fans had high expectations for the 2024-25 season. The Celtics excelled in the regular season, easily making

the playoffs. This was when superstar Jayson Tatum unfortunately ruptured his achilles tendon and the Celtics were eliminated from play. This offseason, the Celtics also needed to make room in the salary cap so they would not get penalized for exceeding the luxury tax. They dealt star center Kristaps Porzingis and guard Jrue Holiday to the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers, respectively. This season will be an interesting test for the Celtics, as they try to stay relevant and see if superstar Jaylen Brown can lead the team to a playoff spot, praying that Jayson Tatum makes a full recovery and returns to the court.

Following a disappointing 2024-25 season, the Boston Bruins are gunning for a comeback. The top line of David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, and Morgan Geekie is one of the better units in the league, but beyond that, the caliber of the second and third lines raise questions. Players on those middle units, like center Pavel Zacha, new acquisition Viktor Arvidsson, speedy winger Fabian Lysell, and others, will have to step up in a big way if the B’s are to make a playoff push. With the impressive core of Pastrňák, defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, and goalie Jeremy Swayman, the Bruins have the talent to win games, but beyond them, the team has some notable holes.

The Boston sports world is full of young talent balanced with veteran presence, although with each of these teams, there are looming questions regarding both the present and future. Despite this, the Sox, Pats, Celts, and B’s promise to deliver very exciting contests in the months ahead.

Jack Winnay ’22 batting New England Baseball Journal

Drake Maye scores against the Panthers. CBS

Jack Winnay’ 22 MILB

The Bruins score in the Preseason NESN

Red Sox Logo Google

Moose in a 2024 game against BB&N Adam Richins

The Loop Chase Kauffman ’27

BH Football Chase Kauffman ’27

BH Football at Homecoming Chase Kauffman ’27

BH Cross Country Adam Richins

Photos from Form Trips

FORM IV - CAnobie lake park

FORM V - Paintball

FORM VI - CAmp Cody

FOrm I - Camp Belknap

FOrm II - Canobie Lake Park

FOrm III - Camp Belknap

A Look into All Quiet on the Western Front

By Will Achtmeyer ’26 Panel Staff

This October, the upper school will be putting on a performance of “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which is a story of four young German soldiers during WWI. Propaganda coerce the boys into joining the war with high spirits, and they march towards the front lines with pride. After arriving however, they are quickly exposed to the horrors of battle and suffer immense loss and suffering. According to Director Mr. Conway, “This performance will be somewhat of a departure from the comical plays that have been commonplace the past few years, and will prove to be a much more serious and dramatic experience.”

The final product will be complete with a variety of theater simulations

and technologies to create the experience of war. Using projected backdrops, flashing lights, smoke machines, and an advanced sound system the crowd will feel immersed in the dramatic action of the play. The production will even feature real decommissioned WWI weapons as props to further enhance the experience and add a realistic aspect. As the performance date approaches, taking place in early November, the crew is working tirelessly to produce the best show for our community.

Boston Ezedi ’26, Will Achtmeyer ’26, PJ Nolan ’27, Jai Somani ’26, Jake Ma ’27, Stephen Agular ’28, and Zachary Park ’28 will all star, and the performance is planned for October 30th, November 1st, and 2nd. Everyone should come to view this thrilling and intense production! ☐

Ms. Bradley Featured in Landau Gallery

By Sean Park ’28 Panel Staff

Ms. Bradley, a renowned artist within our community, has recently had her works featured in a Landau Gallery exhibit. While typically, only Belmont Hill students and professional artists are given the opportunity to display their art in the gallery, Ms. Bradley was invited to share her passion with the school and show us her proudest artworks.

Ms. Bradley has enjoyed creating art ever since she was young. While some artists lose their passion over time, Ms. Bradley never lost her love for art. She says it feels rewarding to create something from nothing, and that it can be therapeutic for the artist: “It’s a helpful way to process any emotions or thoughts you have, but it can also be a great way to get out of your own head.”

The works displayed in the gallery are mostly paintings that she created over the summer. In July, Ms. Bradley spent a month at the Vermont Studio Center for an artist residency. She was given a studio and time to create whatever she wanted. As she drew and painted over the course of her residency, she often thought of moments of friendship and connection, as well as reconnecting with herself. She conveyed these thoughts and feelings through her art, now the most prevalent themes in the gallery.

Out of the paintings that were on display, the one most special to Ms. Bradley is the one of herself and her old Ms.

dog Tonka. She had started it last year and finalized it in Vermont, memorializing the bond between the two. The painting features herself and Tonka, with Tonka lying down on her lap as she sits. The colors are bold, and an incredible amount of detail can be found. The painting almost seems to be a mosaic, with layered and contrasting colors, which is a trait commonly found in Ms. Bradley’s works. Generally, warmer colors were used, conveying to the viewer feelings of comfort, allowing the viewer to share the feelings she felt with Tonka.

Ms. Bradley’s works have been shown in galleries before, and she says it feels great every time she can display her hard work for others to see. She explained, “It helps me draw connections between specific pieces, reflect on the methods I used and the moment in time that I made the piece and how that felt, and it helps me think about what I want to do next.” She acknowledges that showing her artworks, which are essentially reflections of herself, makes her feel vulnerable, but she is glad to do it nonetheless.

Ms. Bradley appreciates that this gallery was able to come to life not only because of her efforts, but also because of the support of the creative people who surrounded her at the Vermont Studio Center, who aided her greatly along the way. She adds that it helps a lot to be surrounded by those with similar interests, and encourages everyone to ‘find their people’. ☐

Play Poster Belmont Hill Drama Club

Bradley Landau Gallery

Adam Richins

President Trump’s Strict Policing of Washington D.C.

By Samuel Leviton ’28 Panel Staff

On August 11th, 2025, President Donald Trump deployed United States National Guard troops to Washington, DC. The National Guard is a military force of citizen soldiers within the US Armed Forces, operating under state control when called by the governor for domestic emergencies and under federal control when federalized by the President, typically for national emergencies or war. Trump sent 800 National Guard troops from Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia to work alongside roughly 500 federal agents already in DC. The new National Guard forces continue to patrol the streets of DC in late September, and have reportedly made over 2000 arrests in their first 30 days. Multiple news sources, such as NPR and AP News are reporting that these troops’ main tasks are performing administrative duties and providing physical security across the city. President Trump stated that, “rising violence in the capital now urgently endangers public servants, citizens, and tourists, disrupts safe and secure transportation and the proper functioning of the Federal Government, and forces the diversion of critical public resources toward emergency response and security measures.” This statement came shortly after a member of the Department of Government Efficiency was injured during a carjacking in DC. Trump and his allies have also discussed implementing similar programs in cities such as Memphis, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

Contrary to the President’s claims,

crime has been dropping across the city. According to the official DC Metropolitan Police website, crime has dropped in every metric over the last year. As of August 24th, 2025, violent crime is down 28% in Washington, DC, compared to 2024.

In 2024, the number of homicides was 32% lower than that of the previous year, and had not been that low since 2019. From 2023 to 2024, total crime across the city dropped 15%. According to the United States Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia, violent crime in 2024 was the lowest in over 30 years. By every metric, DC is a city making profound steps forward in lowering its crime rate. It is vividly clear that by all measures, both non-violent and violent crime in Washington, DC, is at an all-time low. The discrepancy between the city’s crime rates and the President’s claims calls into question the President’s true reason for

Debate of the Issue: Pen vs. Pixel

By Bradford Adams ’26 & Justin Li ’26 Panel Staff

Physical Notes:

What is the purpose of notes? Do they facilitate learning, or do we learn from them? Note taking may not be as straightforward as we think. Yes, there is value in having a resource to look back at, especially your own. But let’s be honest, when we need to study for a test the next day or remember a concept, most of us just type it into our computer anyway. This begs the question, what are notes for? Under these circumstances, notes become a tool in class that helps us learn, rather than a study sheet. The real value in notes in a world where we ask ChatGPT and Google our questions is the connections we make in the classroom. It is the act of processing information, understanding it, and transferring it to the paper that gives notes their value. So why doesn’t every student take notes on paper? Aside from the fact that many of us are playing merge tactics or retro bowl instead of listening to Mr. Bracken explain the historical significance of people putting a fence around their property, and then getting kicked out of class when you forget to mute your computer, it seems like an obvious choice. The connection between the world, with the pencil in your hand and the writing on the page, as opposed to the screen and the keyboard, is a very real one. Many of us have become desensitized to the internet, so much so that notetaking on computers can become almost a thoughtless process of copying down what a teacher says. In this case, notetaking is no longer learn -

ing, but a minimum wage clerical job right out of the 20th century. Think of it this way: if you were to go to a concert, you would probably post it to your story on Instagram and talk about it for years to come. But if you asked me to remember what song was on 10 minutes ago on spotify, my guess is as good as yours, and unless you’re someone who thinks the Lana Del Rey method works, it’s not going on your Instagram.

Computer Notes: Imagine opening your notebook, sorting through notes, and being unable to find a specific formula or concept. Now, imagine opening a Google Doc, searching for keywords, and creating a study guide using your organized notes. Computer notes are better than paper notes for simple reasons: they are faster, easier to search, and overall more flexible. People type faster than they can write, so you can keep up in a fast discussion and capture more details. Digital notes stay organized with

deploying the National Guard.. This could very well be a political symbol and an attempt to display presidential power. Deployment of the National Guard is a clear display of dominance over our nation’s Capital, which may be a significant motive for Trump during a time of immense political polarization. Various lawsuits and statements from the President have demonstrated his goal of exerting increasingly more control over the country, and the decision to deploy the National Guard in DC presents itself as another attempt to assert his power over the US. Trump only mentioned four major cities for the institution of the National Guard: Memphis, D,C, Chicago, and Philadelphia. It is interesting to note that three of the four cities Trump is targeting are in traditionally blue states, and all four cities voted blue. According to the 2025 US News rankings of the most dangerous cities in the US, only one of the four mentioned above makes the top 25. Of the cities President Trump chose to target, only one can be considered significantly dangerous. While making false accusations about the reasoning behind another person’s decision is detrimental, it is worth noting that Trump’s supposed reasoning for his August deployment of the National Guard is factually incorrect. Statistical data on crime rates has proven that most of the cities President Trump has chosen to target with the use of the National Guard, especially DC, are either already handling crime very well or are making significant progress. This raises questions about the true motives of the National Guard deployment. ☐

M.O.T.M.

little effort. Folders, control-f, and bullet points let you group thoughts and jump back and forth without losing clarity. If your laptop breaks, you won’t have to worry about not being able to complete an assignment because you can simply look on your phone. On the other hand, if your notebook gets lost, there is no quick method to recovering its information.

Computer notes are flexible. Adding things like links, diagrams, and images can be difficult on paper and, at times, even impossible. However, these features made available by computers have the ability to make notes much more dynamic, with helpful graphics and resources. Also, if you make a mistake, undo easily brings it back, and you don’t have to waste money on new erasers or whiteout (or even new pens/pencils.)

Working with others is smoother, too. You and your classmates can take notes or create study guides as a team, so that you can learn faster and make fewer errors. Study tools and apps like Quizlet can turn typed-out notes into flashcards, set reminders to review, and quiz you before a test.

While paper has a nice feel and is great for quick sketches, tablets with a stylus are a great alternative to paper, with the same benefits of computer notes. For most people who deal with lots of information, computer notes save time, reduce stress, and help ideas stick.

In a world where students are handling so many things, including outside classes and clubs, having a centralized place where all the notes are stored and can be accessed at any time is incredibly helpful, not to mention efficient. ☐

The Jewish Fall Holidays: A Starter Guide for Non-Jews

By Eli Norden ’26 Panel Staff

I was always a little scared of the Holidays as a little boy. Even though I didn’t believe in G-d then, I was always hopeful that my repentance would result in a year filled with parnassah—livelihood. There is an intangible holiness to this amazing time of the year. Now that I have grown in my religious observance, my perspective on this part of the year has matured into one of deep emotional and spiritual significance.

From the first day of the Jewish year’s final month, Elul, “The King is in the Field,” and the buildup to Yom Kippur’s holiness begins. This phrase, from the book of Kohelet/Ecclesiastes, means that this part of the year is prime for teshuvah (repentance). G-d, the King, is in the field and ready to hear his people’s concerns and pleas for forgiveness. The shofar, a hollowed-out ram’s horn, is blown every morning after services as a wake-up call to repent. During the shofar blast, I reflect on my past year’s shortcomings and successes. By asking G-d for forgiveness for earthly sins and other people for personal sins during this holy time, I try to heal the wounds I’ve caused to myself and others the preceding year.

As Yom Kippur draws nearer, I feel G-d’s power and judgment. In the buildup to Yom Kippur, my sins feel tangible, like I can reach out to grab them. Due

to this, in the week leading up to Rosh HaShanah, Ashkenazi/European Jews begin reciting daily Selichot (penitential prayers), which Sephardic/Middle Eastern and North African Jews had previously begun on 1 Elul. These special prayers praise G-d’s ability to be quick to forgive and slow to anger. In the second part of the Selichot service, Jews confess their sins to G-d. Selichot prepares Jews to be in the proper state of mind to stand before G-d in judgment on Yom Kippur.

Beginning at sunset of 1 Tishrei is Rosh HaShanah (lit. head of the year).

The Yomim Noraim, the Ten Days of Repentance leading up to Yom Kippur, begin now. This two-day holiday is marked by 100 shofar blasts each day. I love Rosh HaShanah because I get to spend time with my family, undisturbed by the outside world. During the holiday, I focus on making amends with my loved ones, reflecting deeply on my year, and praying with deep kavanah—intention.

The tenth day of repentance is Yom Kippur itself. The holiest day of the year is observed by fasting and a ban on washing and wearing leather shoes. We strike our chests and recite the Viduy, a confession of sins, multiple times throughout the day’s holy prayer services. Yom Kippur is the only day of the Jewish calendar that has five prayer services and, due to its importance, is the only fast day that overrides the commandment to eat three Sabbath meals when it falls on that day. On Yom Kippur, we are, G-d willing, “sealed” into the Book of Life. Married men dress in white robes, like angels. Jews, regardless of age and gender, don’t eat, bathe, etc., to relieve ourselves of earthly pleasures, instead focusing on the oneness of G-d.

French Dip Ciabatte Google Images

By Samuel Leviton ’28 Panel Staff

This month, Director of Culinary Excellence Mr. Maws ’88 and the rest of the kitchen staff prepared many delicious and nutritious meals for the Belmont Hill community this month. Favorites included walk-through tacos, buffalo chicken thighs, and chicken alfredo. While these meals satisfied the stomachs of countless hungry boys, none could compare to the French Dip from early September. The delicious roast beef was topped with melted cheese and sandwiched between two pieces of crispy ciabatta bread. Along with the sandwich, thick-cut fries provided a hearty and addictive side to pair with the main course. Lastly, onion soup accompanied every bowl, allowing you to dip your sandwich and fries. One student from form VI described the sandwiches as, “an other worldly explosion of flavour.” Hundreds of hungry boys are eagerly awaiting the return of these salivating sandwiches. ☐

The fall is an incredibly meaningful time for Jews, in which we reflect on the past and look forward to the future.

The holiday season teaches us that holiness is about introspection and community celebration. I hope that you learn something from this small snapshot of what the fall means for observant Jews. ☐

While Yom Kippur is a somber day, it is said to be the happiest day of the year, as our prayers and repentance from the last year were hopefully enough to grant us a sealing in the Book of Life.

Three Prime Ministers Leave Office: Who Is

By Patrick Snail ’28 Panel Staff

In just two days, September 8th and 9th, three prime ministers ‘hung it up’ in quick succession. France, Japan, and Nepal have parliamentary governments (unlike our presidential system), in which a prime minister and cabinet serve as the executive branch. They are elected to parliament and are directly accountable to it. Typically, prime ministers are from the majority party, and they remain in power as long as parliament (and their political party) maintains confidence in them. In parliamentary systems, prime ministers (PMs) rarely resign early. So why did three PMs check out in 48 hours, and who was really at fault?

Since December 2024, the now former French PM, Democratic Movement leader Francois Bayrou, had been attempting to combat the French public debt. As of September 2025, France’s public debt stood at over 3.3 trillion euros, equivalent to 116% of the country’s GDP. In response, Bayrou suggested

cutting public spending. Certain that he would gain political support, he called a Confidence Vote, which invites members of parliament to vote for or against the policy supported by a leader, a lost vote meaning resignation. Ironically, Bayrou lost by 170 votes. Although his idea to cut spending should, in theory, not have led to his ouster from office, his approach and execution of implementing the idea were disastrous. Simply cutting costs is not a feasible way to resolve the issue completely. By making that the focal point while calling a Confidence Vote, he portrayed it as his master plan. Since the public debt is 14% greater than France’s GDP, it would need to cut over € 450 billion per year to break even. Had Bayrou focused on the growth of the GDP as well as cutting unnecessary public spending, he might still be in office. Overall, he lost a mind game to himself, with the defensive MVP going to his naive and arrogant approach. In the end, his poor execution of conveying his plans triggered Prime Minister Bayreu’s ouster. East of France, Japanese PM

Shigeru Ishiba resigned earlier that day. Helming a historically controversial party, the Liberal Democratic Party, Ishiba’s party has been embroiled in several scandals, including the alleged use of slush funds to conceal government expenditures. Ishiba promised to reform it, and many senior members who were part of scandals were enraged. In addition to pressure from them, his party lost the majority of seats in the lower house. Ishiba, in a disadvantageous position, cut his losses and stepped down. Unfortunately for him, many factors leading to his resignation were beyond his control. Nevertheless, he had engineered some successes and was gaining popularity among the general populace, including negotiating an agreement with the U.S. to reduce tariffs. However, Ishiba was losing popularity in the Japanese Parliament, which seemed to have a more significant impact than general trends. His decision to leave office seemed to be for the greater good, as he timed his departure to avoid leaving a power vacuum during the talks about the tariffs with the U.S. It is unfortunate

to Blame?

that Ishiba was elected to represent the wrong party at the wrong time. In all, Prime Minister Ishiba’s resignation was the result of the degradation of his party’s appeal and the loss of the majority in the house, not his political actions.

The very next day, September 9th, Nepal’s PM, Sharma Oli, also resigned from office. Unlike the French and Japanese PMs, who left due to issues within their parliament, Oli crumbled under public outcry, expressed through aggressive calls for resignation and deadly riots. The government and Oli are widely perceived as corrupt. Many promises to resolve economic issues have fallen through, and the government has had an authoritarian attitude. Even during public demonstrations, unnecessary use of force by security forces killed civilians, peacefully protesting trivial issues, such as the curfew. This force, induced by the Oli and the Nepali government, further enraged the protesters, leading to riots, including setting parliamentary buildings on fire. Oli and the government and making no efforts to remedy the situation, so public outrage was expected. No one should be killed for expressing their beliefs, and to condone brutal force in retaliation for demonstrations is unacceptable. Sharma Oli’s term was running on fumes, and his resignation is a hopeful sign of positive change in the Nepali government.

On the surface, the reasons for the three departures of the PMs in France, Japan, and Nepal appear to be unique: a lost confidence vote, pressure from political colleagues, and pressure from the public. However, all three stem from similar domestic challenges: performance, economic issues, government corruption, and scandals. Furthermore, the resignation and the confidence vote on September 8 may have influenced Oli’s resignation, possibly prompting other countries to reform in the coming months. ☐

The Star of David Google Images

The Prime Ministers of France, Nepal, and Japan Google Images

Troops and Trump in DC AP

Notes vs. Computer Google Images